ICIM is a nonprofit medical association of physicians dedicated to exploring and teaching integrative treatments to help our patients. Our 61st meeting is coming up March 2-6, 2016 in Atlanta. This newsletter is designed to prepare attendees and continue discussions about the education we provide.

Toxicology and Industrial HealthA retrospective study was carried out on 79 patients with a history of mold exposure, fatigue, and chronic rhinosinusitis to determine whether there is a causal relationship between fungal exposure and chronic sinusitis, fatigue and anterior hypopituitarism, especially growth hormone deficiency. Of the patients, 94 percent had a history of CRS, endoscopically and/or computed tomography confirmed; 100 percent had chronic fatigue and 100 percent had either significant history of indoor mold exposure and/or positive mold plate testing as measured by settle plates, with an average colony count of 21 (0-4 normal). A total of 62 had positive mold plate testing and 17 had positive history of mold exposure. READ MORE

International Academy of Oral Medicine and ToxicologyPosition statement objectives: 1. To end the use of dental mercury amalgam fillings. Many other mercurial medical devices and mecury-containing substances have been removed from use, including mercurial wound disinfectants, mercurial diuretics, mercury thermometers, and mercurial veterinary substances. In this era when the public is advised to be concerned about mercury exposure through fish consumption, dental mercury amalgam fillings should also be eliminated, especially because they are the predominant source of mercury exposure in the general population. READ MORE

BioMed CentralAsthma is an increasing problem in this country and others. Although medications for the treatment of asthma abound and are improving, there are inherent risks and side effects with all of them. Intravenous magnesium has been employed in the treatment of acute asthma, but its use has not become universal, nor has it been studied for the treatment of chronic asthma. It is known to be a safe drug with minimal side effects. In this study, the author investigates the use of magnesium and other nutrients in the treatment of both acute and chronic asthma.READ MORE

The brain, gut and immune system are connected in ways that affect your health, for better or for worse. Dr. Aristo Vojdani's new book tells you about the bi-directional communication between the central nervous system and enteric nervous system, the role and effects this has on the body's immunological and endocrine mechanisms, and how this delicate balance can be upset by everyday things around you. Available from Nova Science Publishers at www.novapublishers.com and pre-orders available at Amazon.READ MORE

For over 25 years, Agatha's has been entertaining Atlanta with its unique, original and hilarious murder mysteries. We've been featured on various TV shows and our actors are some of the funniest and most talented people in the Southeast. Our special brand of comedic murder mysteries are centered on making sure that the audience is always laughing. If you've been to an interactive murder mystery show before, we can honestly tell you, you haven't experienced anything until you've been in to see us. And if you've never been to a show with us before and you're scared to try, we promise you one thing, you are going to have a great time.READ MORE

A Birmingham-based compounding pharmacy where we have been offering quality compounding solutions to patients and physicians throughout the country for over 45 years. Better Solutions means better results, and it is a reputation that Wellness has earned among physicians and patients nationwide, by emphasizing a total approach to professionalism; starting with an absolute commitment to the science of pharmaceutical medicine.READ MORE

MIT NewsIn 2010, a large study in Denmark found that women who suffered an infection severe enough to require hospitalization while pregnant were much more likely to have a child with autism (even though the overall risk of delivering a child with autism remained low).
Now research from MIT, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the University of Colorado, and New York University Langone Medical Center reveals a possible mechanism for how this occurs. In a study of mice, the researchers found that immune cells activated in the mother during severe inflammation produce an immune effector molecule called IL-17 that appears to interfere with brain development.READ MORE

Alliance for Natural HealthRecently, PBS's Frontline aired an hourlong program titled "Supplements and Safety." Jointly produced by Frontline, the New York Times and the Canadian Broadcasting Commission, the program was clearly intended to leave viewers with the one-sided impression that dietary supplements are unregulated, unsafe—and that ultimately you, the consumer, should not have the right to stay healthy in a manner of your choosing.READ MORE